Everyone I know who traveled for the holidays - before, during, and after - short or long distances - had some sort of change of plans, delay, complication or other hitch - a classic Mercury retrograde manifestation. Mercury rules transportation and retrograde means things go a little backwards as the planet [god] takes a break from normal duties...

“All around you: feel the restful, blue-black velvet of deep space. It supports you as the sky supports the stars. Floating in the center, entirely trusting the cradling silence, you are being created moment-to-moment by the power of a wise Presence that never abandons you.” ~Penney Peirce

“According to Christian tradition it was a star that had guided the three Wise Men (who in the original Greek are called astrologers) to Bethlehem... The consensus of opinion among modern astrologers is that the ‘star’ of Bethlehem was in fact a conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in Pisces... an exceptional phenomenon that the Wise Men would have considered a major omen”~Larousse Encyclopedia of Astrology

Now in the 2nd half of Mercury Retrograde, the re-evaluating and re-envisioning that has been going on could have revealed something — an idea or insight, which though may still be ripening — is beginning to be known and felt within. Yet it might not be fully understood until after Mercury goes direct, after Dec 30th.

Today is the Winter Solstice when the Sun descends to its lowest position in the sky of the whole year, into Capricorn. Then for 3 days the Sun will appear to be *still* until it begins to ascend higher in the sky again on Christmas day. Dec 25 was originally celebrated as the festival of the Sun’s return... I am going to try to allow more stillness into my experience over these 3 special days.

“There is no denying the fact that a few prayers and ordeals undergone with keen concentration, concurrently with the eclipse of the sun or moon, do result in great spiritual benefit to the individual concerned.” ~Meher Baba (TREASURES, pp. 191-192)

“Eclipses are cosmic doorways that open to invite our growth and conscious intent for enlightenment.” ~Dulce

Early on Dec 21 there will be a Full Moon Lunar Eclipse (3:13a EST) in 29º Gemini ♊. Wherever 29º Gemini is in one’s chart (or significant aspects to that degree) will reveal information about what might be eclipsed, that is, what might fall away or morph significantly for growth needs, allowing one to walk through a door into a new phase.

We have a long Void-of-Course Moon today 4:36p-10:37p EST. As Steven Forrest says, regarding actions taken during the VOC Moon, “Nothing will come of the matter. Sometimes that’s good news, other times not.” Knowing when the Moon is VOC can help you use it to your advantage.

Did you know that at one time astrology was mainly associated with mathematics and astronomy, and many historic astronomers, such as Galileo and Newton, were also astrologers?